High School

Woodland's Jack Pinho (second from left) competes in the 1600m during an NVL track meet against Torrington and Holy Cross at Torrington High School Tuesday afternoon. Pinho won the event in 4:38. Christopher Massa Republican-American

TORRINGTON — As the Woodland High boys track team cruised to a sweep of Torrington and Holy Cross to clinch its second straight Naugatuck Valley League championship Tuesday, plenty of Hawks popped up in plenty of places.

Distance runners appeared in the field, jumpers competed in the relays and points piled up on Woodland's score sheet. As the Hawks' coaching staff says, it's all part of the team's strength.

"As (girls coach Jeff) Lownds says, if you're a track kid, you're a good athlete," said Woodland boys coach Tim Shea, whose program has only lost four meets in the last six seasons. "A lot of our kids do different types of events. They work hard."

None is more versatile than Mike Lang. The junior sensation swept his three jumps Tuesday, but three victories was only a "decent day" for the All-New England athlete.

Asked when he'll be satisfied, Lang replied, "As soon as I get best in the state. I'm not there yet."

There's also Jack Pinho, who earned two victories on the track and placed third in the pole vault. Pinho won the 1,600 meters in 4:38.9, a week after he set the school record with a time of 4:32. Pinho was also part of the 4x400 relay squad that capped the meet with a Woodland victory in 3:38.2.

"I didn't think I had a chance to break the record," said Pinho, who will likely enter the NVL championships with the top seed in the mile. "I had a tough winter (after his father's sudden death), but Coach Shea has really been pushing me this spring."

Brett Fowler, Ian Chamenko, Andy Hale and Nick LaPerriere were also double-winners. Fowler won both the 110 and 300 hurdles and may be the favorite in those events at the NVL meet.

Chamenko won the 3,200 and helped the 4x800 team to a win, LaPerriere took the 400 and anchored the victorious 4x400 squad, and Hale was on both winning relay teams.

Those four, who are among more than 20 seniors on the Woodland boys roster, have been leaders for the Hawks after they lost a slew of NVL champions to graduation.

"This group of seniors, after all we lost from last year, no one really gave them a chance," Shea said. "We like to use that as motivation. We knew we would be OK and it

See HAWKS, Page 5B

worked out that way."

Holy Cross sprinter Juwan Hall was among the non-Woodland bright spots of the day. The sophomore won the 100 in 11.28 seconds and the 200 in 23.16 seconds. Hall also anchored the Crusaders' 4x100 to a win in 44.1 seconds.

"If I keep working hard, there is no way I should lose," Hall said of his prospects to become the NVL's fastest man later this month. "Speed is everything for me. I was born to be fast."

On the girls side, Woodland kept pace in the NVL title hunt by sweeping both the Red Raiders and the Crusaders, winning 13 of the 18 events on the day. Ashley Michie led the charge, winning both sprints and helping the 4x100 and 4x400 teams to victories.

"If you want it bad enough, you put your team before yourself," Michie said. "It is about you, but it's also about getting points for the team. We want an undefeated NVL season, too."

The Hawks' lone blemish came last month when they tied Watertown, which is also perfect except for that tie. With the Indians' victories Tuesday, the NVL championship meet May 21 at Woodland will determine the league champion.

"It's going to be a sight to see," Michie said. "It's going to be about who wants it the most and who has worked hardest all season."

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